There were notable shifts in Class 3A on Tuesday, when the GHSA released its reclassification list for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons.
The appeals process could alter the reclassification positions, but as it stands here’s a look at who might go where:
The biggest jump in class is reminiscent of Calhoun’s exit two years ago, when the Yellow Jackets went from 3A to 5A. Now, it’s Greater Atlanta Christian’s turn to weather that storm. The Spartans – which spent 1991-1999 in Class A and then reclassed to 2A in 2000 and 3A in 2016 – will be moved up to Class 5A, and its football team likely will struggle there, at least for a season or two.
Westminster also is gone, for now, up to Class 4A. The Wildcats won the 2015 3A title and are a perennial playoff stalwart, regardless of class.
Rockmart was a football power in Class 2A from 2016-2019 before it reclassified to 3A. Now, the Yellow Jackets will return to Class 2A. In 2A, Rockmart made one state championship appearance (2018) and lost in the second round in 2016, 2017 and 2019, with a second-round exit last season in 3A.
Johnson-Savannah and Sonoraville are moving up to 4A, as well as Cherokee Bluff, which is trying for its first undefeated regular season this week.
Thomson is gone and shifted to Class 2A. The Bulldogs currently are ranked No. 6 in Class 3A.
Some new additions to the class are Carver-Columbus, which is a power in girls basketball, winning 4A state titles in 2019 and last season. Bremen is back in Class 3A where it was in 2016 and 2017 before sliding down to Class 2A for the past three seasons. Another addition to the class is former-2A program Vidalia, which won the Region 2-2A title last season.
[Coming Thursday: Previewing region title matchups and playoff positioning possibilities.]
Week 12 Class 3A top-10
1. (1) Cedar Grove (7-2)
2. (2) Appling County (9-0)
3. (3) Monroe Area (9-0)
4. (4) Oconee County (8-1)
5. (5) Pierce County (7-2)
6. (6) Thomson (8-0)
7. (7) Carver (Atlanta) (6-2)
8. (8) Sandy Creek (8-1)
9. (9) Hart County (8-1)
10. (10) Rockmart (8-1)
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